Biopsy instrument with tissue specimen retaining and retrieval device

Claim 2

A biopsy instrument, comprising a tissue penetrating device including an elongate holder, first cutting means arranged at an end of said holder for penetrating tissue and a middle section having an outer peripheral surface and including a longitudinal channel recessed inwardly of said outer peripheral surface, and a specimen retaining and retrieval device detachably connected to said holder for receiving and retaining a specimen of tissue cut by said first cutting means, said specimen retaining and retrieval device comprising a handle having a contoured, outer surface substantially corresponding to the shape of a thumb such that said handle of said specimen retaining and retrieval device is fittingly matable with the thumb of the user during penetration and cutting of tissue and said specimen retaining and retrieval device is carryable by the user through the mating of the thumb of the user and said handle upon detachment from said tissue penetrating device, and a longitudinal projection extending outward from a bottom surface thereof corresponding in size and shape to said longitudinal channel in said middle section of said tissue penetrating device such that said projection of said specimen retaining and retrieval is insertable into said longitudinal channel.

Claim 3

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said specimen retaining and retrieval device is elongate and comprises second cutting means, said second cutting means comprising a set of barbs mounted at a front end of said specimen retaining and retrieval device and formed to exert a radially inward pressure from said front end.

Claim 4

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said tissue penetrating device comprises a hand grip section arranged at an end of said holder opposite to said end at which said first cutting means are arranged, said middle section being arranged between said hand grip section and said cutting means, said middle section having friction grip enhancing means comprising circumferential grooves arranged on an outer peripheral surface of said middle section and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said tissue penetrating device.

Claim 5

The biopsy instrument of claim 3, wherein said tissue penetrating device has a varying cross-section shape along its longitudinal axis, said hand grip section having a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Claim 6

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said first cutting means comprise a tubular cutting member having a forward cutting edge for penetrating tissue.

Claim 7

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said outer peripheral surface of said middle section of said tissue penetrating device is cylindrical.

Claim 8

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said contoured surface is roughened.

Claim 9

The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said contoured surface has a depressed central region and sloping portions gradually sloping upward from said central region.

Claim 10

A biopsy instrument, comprising a tissue penetrating device including an elongate holder and first cutting means arranged at an end of said holder for penetrating tissue, said tissue penetrating device comprising a hand grip section arranged at an end of said holder opposite to said end at which said first cutting means are arranged and a middle section arranged between said hand grip section and said cutting means, said middle section being substantially cylindrical and having friction grip enhancing means, said friction grip enhancing means comprising circumferential grooves arranged on an outer peripheral surface of said middle section and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said tissue penetrating device, said middle section having an outer peripheral surface and including a longitudinal channel recessed inwardly of said outer peripheral surface, and a specimen retaining and retrieval device detachably connected to said middle section of said holder for receiving and retaining a specimen of tissue cut by first cutting means, said specimen retaining and retrieval device comprises a longitudinal projection extending outward from a bottom surface thereof corresponding in size and shape to said longitudinal channel in said middle section of said tissue penetrating device such that said projection of said specimen retaining and retrieval is insertable into said longitudinal channel of said tissue penetrating device.

Claim 11

A biopsy instrument, comprising a tissue penetrating device including an elongate holder and first cutting means arranged at an end of said holder for penetrating tissue, said tissue penetrating device comprising a hand grip section arranged at an end of said holder opposite to said end at which said first cutting means are arranged and a middle section arranged between said hand grip section and said cutting means, said middle section being substantially cylindrical and having friction grip enhancing means, said friction grip enhancing means comprising circumferential grooves arranged on an outer peripheral surface of said middle section and oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said tissue penetrating device, said middle section having an outer peripheral surface and including a longitudinal channel recessed inwardly of said outer peripheral surface, and a specimen retaining and retrieval device detachably connected to said middle section of said holder for receiving and retaining a specimen of tissue cut by first cutting means, said specimen retaining and retrieval device comprises a longitudinal projection extending outward from a bottom surface thereof corresponding in size and shape to said longitudinal channel in said middle section of said tissue penetrating device such that said projection of said specimen retaining and retrieval is insertable into said longitudinal channel of said tissue penetrating device.

Claim 12

The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein said tissue penetrating device has a varying cross-section shape along its longitudinal axis, said hand grip section having a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

Claim 13

The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein said specimen retaining and retrieval device is elongate and comprises second cutting means, said second cutting means comprising a set of barbs mounted at a front end of said specimen retaining and retrieval device and formed to exert a radially inward pressure from said front end.

Claim 14

The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein said first cutting means comprise a tubular cutting member having a forward cutting edge for penetrating tissue.

Claim 15

The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein said outer peripheral surface of said middle section of said tissue penetrating device is cylindrical.

Claim 16

The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein said specimen retaining and retrieval device comprises a handle having a contoured surface substantially corresponding to the shape of a thumb.

Claim 17

The biopsy instrument of claim 14, wherein said contoured surface is roughened.

Claim 18

The biopsy instrument of claim 14, wherein said contoured surface has a depressed central region and sloping portions gradually sloping upward from said central region.